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墨書 Inktalez
Gradually, the light began to emerge.
A ray of bright sunlight broke through the layers of clouds in the east, piercing through the lingering mist and illuminating the ancient tree atop Phoenix Mountain, known as the Eternal Tree. This tree had stood for countless millennia, enduring the obscuring clouds and the harshness of sun and wind.
For it, perhaps today was just another ordinary day in its long existence.
Beneath the Phoenix Tree gathered countless people, with mist swirling around its massive trunk. Looking up, no one could fully comprehend its towering height.
At this moment, beneath the Phoenix Tree, the morning fog had yet to dissipate. A drop of dew fell from a leaf and landed on Qianqiu's brow.
She bitterly pursed her lips and managed a sorrowful smile.
"How is he now? Where is he?"
Qianqiu looked up at the Phoenix Maidens surrounding her, those who had grown up together with her, practiced sorcery together, and played together. In their eyes, the warmth of the past seemed to have vanished, replaced by a deep chill and a profound resentment.
Sighing, she glanced upward again at the numerous corpses hanging from the branches of the Phoenix Tree. Some had long since turned to mummified remains, while others were mere bones. A massive iron hook pierced through their shoulder blades, rusted after so many years.
Perhaps only this iron hook still gleamed as if new. Qianqiu chuckled bitterly, wanting to reach out and touch the hook that passed behind her. But as soon as she moved, pain shot through her body as if it were falling apart.
Since childhood, after her grandfather sold her to Phoenix Mountain for fifty coins, she seemed to have never known happiness again. Her sorcery was not the best; she was not the most beautiful; even her personality was not the most favored. Just when she thought she would live out her days quietly on Phoenix Mountain, a single decision transformed her into its most famous figure. Now all eyes were on her.
Because of one decision, she became a traitor.
Qianqiu looked at the corpses hanging nearby; perhaps they had made the same mistake as she did.
"Do something, but do not get emotionally involved," she recalled his words and smiled bitterly.
"Qianqiu, you brought outsiders into Phoenix Mountain without permission, disturbing the Phoenix Deity and inciting great anger. Do you know your crime?"
The corners of the Phoenix Maiden's mouth twitched. Humans, if they wish to kill, should do so without pretense. Why do they enjoy dressing themselves as righteous judges, passing judgment on evil to achieve some inexplicable pleasure?
She closed her eyes, aware that in the eyes of those around her, she was nothing more than a mass of thick and detestable mud.
The morning breeze swept through, and beneath the cold mist lay an air of grim determination.
"Well, since you refuse to answer, you must know the rules of Phoenix Mountain," said the leader, an elderly man with white hair. The Phoenix Maiden remembered him as the kind old man who had taught her how to refine Gu and bury the Gu altar for the first time. Now, however, he appeared utterly loathsome.
"Aunt Xue," the Phoenix Maiden said, "let's not prolong this. Just do it. I know I am doomed."
A flicker of pity crossed Aunt Xue's eyes. "What do you have to fear?"
The Phoenix Maiden shook her head, her expression calm. Aunt Xue replied, "Very well. Bring forth Qianqiu's Gu altar."
At that moment, a Gu Master stepped forward, cradling an ancient porcelain altar in his hands. He placed it at the Phoenix Maiden's feet and opened it. Instantly, a vividly colored green snake raised half its body from the altar, peering out while hissing continuously.
Another Gu Master drew a Horned Dagger and slowly approached the Phoenix Maiden. At this point, her pupils suddenly constricted, fear evident in her eyes.
The execution method at Phoenix Mountain was different from others; it involved making a cut at the prisoner's feet with a Horned Dagger and applying a special poison to prevent natural healing. This way, blood would continuously drip from the wound into the altar below until the prisoner bled out completely.
Of course, most prisoners would not survive long enough to bleed out entirely; within a short time, the immense psychological pressure would cause them to collapse and die from heart failure.
If a Gu Master died, the creatures within the altar would naturally perish soon after.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. Aunt Xue tilted her head to listen. "What was that sound?"
The Gu Master shook his head.
Another tremor shook the ground, causing Aunt Xue to feel a sense of alarm. "Send someone to investigate," she ordered.
With a thunderous boom, the third sound reverberated in the hearts of the Gu Masters.
A sharp sound sliced through the air, and a red light burst forth, landing on a branch of the Phoenix Tree. The birds around it were startled, their cries echoing as they fled in panic.
"It’s him!"
"It’s him!!"
"It’s him!!!"
The Gu Masters were thrown into disarray as they beheld this unexpected visitor.
He had arrived. The Phoenix Maiden smiled sadly; he had come to save her after all.
Wei Ning's skin seemed to burn with an inner fire, his cold eyes fixed on the Gu Masters below. His hands, hardened like black stone, were as cold as blades. With the Red Umbrella strapped to his back, he resembled a hellish demon. Suddenly, he let out a long howl, his body enveloped in red light, exuding an imposing aura.
Amidst the howling wind, Wei Ning's hands shot downwards, targeting the foremost Gu Master.
With swift movements, he struck three times. The Gu Master was left headless, his body trembling in a pool of blood, disbelief still etched in his eyes.
"Blood," Wei Ning muttered through gritted teeth as he moved like a specter among the Gu Masters. His hands were like scythes from hell, and soon several more Gu Masters met the same fate.
"Wei Ning, what are you doing!" someone screamed in horror. Was this Wei Ning still the kind-hearted boy they once knew? How had he transformed into a demon from hell?
Wei Ning paused for a moment; it seemed as if two flames ignited in his eyes. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the heavy morning mist filled the air, making one want to retch.
Wei Ning turned around and looked at the large tree in front of him, shouting loudly, "You are the one, right?"
The trunk shook violently, and leaves began to fall.
"You are, so I must defy!" Wei Ning shouted fiercely, his figure suddenly flashing as he transformed into a streak of red light, darting forward and plunging his hands directly into the Phoenix Tree.
"Don't..." the Gu Masters cried out in alarm, but they were unable to stop Wei Ning's actions.
Wei Ning's hands moved like scythes, slicing rapidly with a continuous swishing sound. However, at that moment, no one dared to intervene; in the eyes of the Gu Masters, Wei Ning had become an unstoppable demon.
A loud rumble echoed.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed across the morning sky, striking down towards Wei Ning. He leaped aside just in time, and where the lightning had struck, the ground was instantly charred black!
"You old thief, how dare you strike me!" Wei Ning roared in fury, pointing at the elder and cursing.
Another thunderclap rang out as another bolt aimed for Wei Ning. This time, he stood firm without dodging, feet planted firmly on the ground, facing the direction of the thunder. With his left hand gripping the lightning, he shouted, "Grant me power to shake all spirits; let the earth tremble and thunder fill my belly; may ghosts hear my words and be startled!" As he finished speaking, it seemed as if he had swallowed the entire bolt of lightning. A brilliant red glow enveloped him; light flowed over his skin, causing everything around him to dim. Taking a deep breath, Wei Ning shouted wildly, "Hasten as per my command!"
With a resounding boom, a dazzling bolt of lightning surged from his hands and struck directly at the Phoenix Tree.
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